You think mainstream media has reached the bottom of the barrel. Then you realize the barrel has depths yet unplumbed.

San Antonio Express-News Watch tipped off Powerline to the latest over-the-top example of media bias, in case you thought CBS was the only problem:

Well, sure. ABC wants to “balance” its coverage of President Bush’s inauguration with coverage of a military funeral:

Jan. 19, 2005 — For a possible Inauguration Day story on ABC News, we are trying to find out if there any military funerals for Iraq war casualties scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20. If you know of a funeral and whether the family might be willing to talk to ABC News, please fill out the form below:

Note that only the families of Iraqi war dead need apply. If a soldier died in Afghanistan, or aiding tsunami victims in Indonesia or Sri Lanka, or in a training exercise, never mind. That isn’t the “balance” ABC is looking for.

And then, when they noticed the blogosphere watching, ABC tried to make their ghoulish solicitation disappear. But Captain Ed grabbed a copy.